Hayrake



March 23, 1954 w. P. ADAMS HAYRAKE 3 Sheets-$heet 1 Filed April 26, 1950 March 23, 1954 w. P. ADAMS HAYRAKE' 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 26, 1950 March 23, 1954 w. P. ADAMS HAYRAKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 26, 1950 Patented Mar. 23, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE half to Willia Edna Worden and Floyd 0. Worden, as joint tenants, Alliance, Nebr.

Application April 26, 1950,

4 Claims.

This invention relates to hayrakes and more particularly it is an object of this invention to provide a, hayrake adapted for use in fields in which varying conditions are encountered.

In western Nebraska and some other parts of which hay it is in other parts. Because of this condition it has been very difiicult in the past to provide a suitable hayrake. Other factors are the irregular surfaces of the ground in such fields and the sinking of towing tractors into bogs.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a hayrake which is provided with a more Still another object is having a readily adjustable hold down mechait is only distance.

Still another object resides in the elimination of spring hold down means by the provision of a positive hydraulic hold down mechanism. m

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a hayrake having a holddown mechanism readily adjustable for raising the teeth in order to clear rocks, stumps,

necessary to A further object resides in the provision of a new and improved way to attach cleaner rods to such hayrakes.

Serial No. 158,147

a hold down mechanism so efiicient that it is unnecessary to dump hay into a windrow as often as formerly.

Still a further object resides in the provision of a rake which is adapted to rake clean even after it is filled beyond the capacity of rakes of the prior art.

An additional object of the invention resides in the provision of wheel attachment means whereby the wheels of the rake can be easily shifted from raking position to trailing position. further object resides in the provision of a trailable hayrake having three wheels on one or its sides and a single wheel on its opposite side during trailing.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device for thepurpose described which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efiicient in operatiomand relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and utilize.

Other and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the hayrake, dotted lines indicating trailing positions of wheels.

Figure 2 is a side view of the device with a detachable wheel removed.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the trailer hitch and adjacent parts. This view is a section taken along the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view-in-section taken along the line 4-4 as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a partial section of the axle hinge mechanism taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a plan view of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an enlarged view, partly in section, of the left-hand wheel as shown in Figure 1, and taken along the line 'I---'!.

Figure 8 is an enlarged view, of the removable Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a section through the wheel shown in Figure '7, taken along the line 9-9.

Figure 10 is an enlarged section through the axle and rake along the line Ill-I 0 in Figure 1.

Figure 11 is a partial enlarged section showing the front view of the hold-down mechanism, taken along the line I 1-4 I of Figure 1.

The hayralce of this invention is best seen in Figure 1 and includes a plurality of teeth H).

The teeth H] are disposed in a transverse row and are supported above the ground with their lower ends extending downwardly to' the surface partly in section, right hand wheel as shown in of the ground for raking. As best seen in Figure 10, each tooth I is of arcuate shape having a concave forward side terminating at its lower end in a flat portion generally indicated at I2. The portion I2 is disposed in use closely adjacent the surface of the ground I4.

Each tooth I0 is constructed of resilient material and is. preferably provided; witha loop I l disposed therein. adjacent the. top thereof for adding to its resiliency. The uppermost end of each tooth I0 is suitably secured to one of two:

elongated transverse right angle members 20. Such securing means 22 which latter extends beneath'thetooth. land on the sides thereof. the angle 20 by means of bolts 24.

The'teeth I0 are disposed in parallelism and are equidistantly spaced apart all along" the twoangle members 20. The angle members 20. are disposed end to end in: alignment and are attached to. twohalf-axle. portionsv 30. by. suitable means nowtolbedescribedl As'best seen in Figure a short right) angle member. 34 is disposed to the rearward of? the axlepprtions 30. Likean'gle members 34are disposed. in. spaced'apart positions. allal'ong the axle 30. The anglemembers 34' are attachedto. the axles30 bymeans of web membergj38l The-web members. 3111 are. disposed and apertures 40. are provided between each. web member 30" and adjacent surfaces ofithe. an le. members 30..

As seen inFigurellOZtWQ. spaced apart parallel webmembers. 38 are provided for each angle member. 40.- Onthe rearward. and" lower sides of the angle members 34; eachofthe. latter is provided.with-.a..hook shapedconnectinjg member 48 which latter. is providedf withjtwo' forward surfaces disposed; at. right angles with respect to each other... 'Ihelatterj are disposedlagainstthe back.- and". under. sidesv of; Bolts. 50. are provided for. 081:0 theangle members The. members. 48." each. extend rearwardly, upwardly, then forward end of each hook beingprovidedwith an aperture, therethrough for. receiving a bolt '60. The bolts 60.. each secure. the. respective hook. member 48'to. two. spaced apart. cars 64 which securing. th members latter are themselves suitably. secured to the. downwardly. extending rearwardsurfaces ofthe anglemembers. 2 0'.

The. rake is furtherv provided with.a.fplur ality cleaning rod supports, 66"

ct rearwardly. extending which latter. are. disposediiirspaced apart .parah lelism.with each. other. The, cleaning rod supports 66 extend betweentheteetlr Illicr the purpose of combing hay. therefrom atfltimesiwhenthe teeth I0 are raised; as best illustrated in detail in Figure 10.

It" will be seen'that thejorward endsiofj the supports 60 are attachedit'o"theundersideofthe axlepipes 30by means of' clips dsbwhich latter extend around'the rods '60 and are'provided with' pins H1 for locking, eah. rod.60 in the 'clip -B8. The forwardiv end of each rod! is provided with a head 12.

Two. transverse cleaning rods; 80 are provided and. the; latter extend across. the tops of the rod 60 forwardly-ofthe teeth I0: The-rodstlljare. secured to" the rods.60by means. of clips 82; and eye bolts 8'4. Eachrodltll'. is'p'rovided with a notch 86 for receiving-"arod 80. r s

The axles 302 are preferably; formed ofpipe and are supported at' their; outer. ends; by two unlike wheel" assemblies: The'wheel. assemblyshown :at

preferably comprises a clip The. clip: 22- is secured to" the, angle: member slightly forwardly. in a hook, the.

upwardly; atiam inclination,

the left in Figure 1 is illustrated in detail in Figure 7.

In Figure '7 the wheel assembly shown includes a wheel 90 having an axle 92 mounted in an axle supporting block 94. An upstanding post 86 is secured to the block 94 and extends upwardly through a sleeve 88. The sleeve 98 is vertically disposed: and is. rigidly secured to a plate 596 which latter is rigidlysecured. touthe outer end of the adjacent axle pipe-30.

.On the underside of the axle pipe as a bracket H0 is provided. The bracket H6 extends downwardly from an inner portion of the axle then extends outwardly a short distance, then being attached on its terminalrinclinedlend to the plate I lit.

The bracket H0 is secured by means of a bolt II4 to a toggle member H8. The member Ht is.substantially obscured in Figure '7 by a link I20. The toggle member H8 is provided with a notch I24.therein.which latteris disposedaround andlsecureditothe' top of .the block a Z.

The, link. I201 is welded.

As bestseenin Figure l', certain.positions.of the wheel are. shown. in. dottedli'nes. Theseare the trailingpositions thereof. used whenthe device is being towed on the highway.

Referring to Figures. 7; and

bersJI'IBjand IJmove..rearwardly,.and the aperture I which extends through the inner. end oi.

the member I I8. isnot used. In-its. stead, the bolt H4. is placedi'through the. aperture I28- for attaching the. link. I20; to the. bracket I I 0.

The wheel. I on the. opposite right hand end offthe axle is similarly provided with. a stub axle I42. attachedit'o a block I44. The block IE4 is I welded. or suitably, secured to a standard I48 which latter is secured. to a plate I;.the latter being attached to the outer endof the adjacent axle pipe 30. Two brace members I54 are provided; one'forwardly'andi one rearwardly of the block I'M. The braces. I5'4 are attached rigidly to the block IMontheir. outer ends and are attached' on their inner ends. to the plate I50;

A brace securing piece I50 is disposed across.

the top of the braces I54 and extends downwardly on the .forwarda'nd rearwardsides thereof: The member Iv is preferably welded in this position. I y

A strengthening plate ITO; is provided as shown in Figure 8;, The plate I10 is secured by means of bolts I14" to the plate I50 welded" to the member H0.

The assembly furtherbraced by means of a strut I'IB',,secured' to the lower end of the member I10; and the strut extends inwardly and upwardly therefrom,beingsecuredto the axle 30.

Meansarei providedfior holding the axle 30 above the: ground at'tlrn'es; when the wheel I40 is removed; Such meansfincludes'a sleeve I00 secured'vertically to the axle 30 adjacent the wheel I40. Astandardla fi is slidably disposed through the sleeve. I and has afoot I98' on its lower end'for-e'ngaging the ground. A bolt 200 is provided through the sleeve. tor securingthe standarid: I9l6j in; a; desiredfposition.

An: inner pipe, or? rounded. bar; 2I 0 is" disposed" or otherwise suitably secured to the. i'nnerendof' atoggle member. H8

9,. when the wheel. 00 is pl'a'cedin the. dottedli'neposition, the mem and the axle 30 is in the right hand outer end of the axle 30. The pipe 2l0 is provided with a vertical bore 2|2 therethrough for a purpose later described. The bar 2| is secured at its outer end to the plate I 50. It will be seen that by removing the bolt 174, the wheel I40 and associated parts including the bar 2l0 can be removed.

The purpose of this removal is best seen in Fi ure 1, in which the wheel I40 is placed under the teeth l0 adjacent the transverse center of the rake. The wheel I40 is there shown in trailing position and the bar 2H! extends rearwardly from a forwardly and rearwardly extending pipe frame member 230, which latter is best seen in Figure 4.

Referring to Figure 4, the member 2 I 0 is shown extending into the rearward end of the pipe 230 and is secured in that position by means of a bolt 234 which latter extends through the pipe 230 and the bar M0. The bolt 234 has its nut on the lower end welded to the longitudinal 230. On the upper end of the bolt a washer is pro vided. The position of the bar 210 in Figure 4 corresponds to the dotted line position thereof shown in Figure 1.

The main longitudinal pipe 230 is braced in a position at a right angle to the axles 30 by means of two elongated bracing pipes 250. Each pipe 250 extends forwardly and inwardly from an outer end of an axle 30. The pipes 250 are provided at each end with a welded plate 252 secured thereto. The purpose of the plates 252 are for reception between tabs 258 which latter, together with the bolts 260, attach the ends of the pipe respectively to the axles 30 and to a connecting plate 210. The connecting plate 210 is also shown in Figure 2. Two braces 2'. are provided for securing the plate 210 to the pipe 230.

It will be seen that the bolts 260 should be in alignment with the axes about which the inner ends of the axles 30 pivot, as later described. For this reason the plates 252 are disposed substantially in parallelism with the axles 30 transversely of the rake and the tabs 258 are similarly disposed in parallelism with the plates 252.

As best seen in Figures 1 and 3, the longitudinal pipe 230 is provided at its forward end with flange 303 and a longitudinal pipe extension 3% extends forwardly of the pipe 230. The extension 266 is provided with a rearward flange 3178 which latter is secured by means of bolts 3i 0 to the flange 300. Webs 3M are provided for strengthening the flanges 300 and 308.

The extension 306 is provided at its forward end with a vertically disposed plate 320 which latter is placed in a slot in the forward end of the extension 306 and is suitably welded thereto. The plate are is provided with a plurality of apertures 37M therethrough. The apertures 325 are spaced apart in a vertical row. The purpose of the apertures is for receiving a bolt 330 having a washer 032 disposed thereon. The bolt 330 is disposed through the looped rearward end of a towing linkage 338.

The linkage 338 has two forwardly extending portions disposed in spaced apart parallelism with each other. The linkage 338 is provided with a notch therein as indicated at 340 in Figure 1. The purpose of the notch 3 5i) is for receiving the forward edge of the vertical plate 320. The forward end of the linkage 338 is provided with an aperture 344, shown in Figure 1, which latter is for receiving a bolt in the attachment of the linkage 330 to a towing tracton.

As best seen in Figure 3, the pipe 350 is disposed extending inwardly from the plate 320 to the extension 306 and into the longitudinal pipe 230. The pipe 350 is welded or suitably secured at its outer end to the plate 320 whereby at times when the extension 306 is removed from the longitudinal pipe 230, the pipe 350 comes out with the pipe 306.

As best seen in Figure 8, the dotted lines there shown represent the extension 306 and plate 320 as disposed in a position for highway travel. the pipe 350 seen in Figure 3 is inserted into the pipe 30 shown in Figure 8 at a time when the wheel I40 and associated parts are removed.

Referring to Figure 1, two spaced apart front axle pipes 400 are provided. The pipes 400 are disposed in aligmnent transversely of the direction. The axle pipes 400 are sloped downwardly at their outer ends as best shown in Figure 11. Two wheels M0 are attached to the ends of the axle pipes 400.

The axle pipes pipe 230.

Above the transverse platform members M0 and at the ends thereof, two longitudinal platform members 442 are secured. The members M2 are for the purpose of supporting two spaced apart bearings 446. The bearings 44B are for the purpose of supporting a shaft 450.

At the center of the shaft 450 an jack 470 is attached spaced apart apertures Sid therein. The latter are for the purpose of receiving bolts 5E2 which latter pivotally secure each arm 500 to the bifurcated forward ends 5M of connecting rods 516. Across the forward side of the arms 450 and 500 connecting brace 506 is secured.

The connecting rods 518 extend rearwardly 5l8 which latter receive the rods 5|6 therein. The inside. of the sleeves SIB-are threaded as shown att l e ror threadedly receiving the thread ed rearward end of-'each--rod"5"l6-l On the rods 516;: adjacent' 'thd forward end ofeach' sleeve 51%,- two nuts- 520" a-re pr'ovided for" locking the rod into position.

The-rearward ends of'each sleeve are bifurcatedas show-hat 524 and-they'are'pivotally secured by means of bolts 530" to upwardly-extending-shafts5323" The shafts 532 extend upwardly from and aresecured to the-elongated angle 'membersiwto which'the teeth I0 are secured? A's-best seen in Figured; at times when-11y draulicpower is applied-to the jack 41U through' its hose 550, the associated members are'causedto assume thedotted line positions shown. When-they are in the" dotted line position, the teeth It of the "rakewillbe in raised position due tothe-' rotation of the angle ='members 20 as best seenin' Figures i "and 10.

Asbest'seendnFigures 1" and 6, the'inner ends of thepipe' axles 3B are" each provided with a transversesleeve 602 secured thereto. The-sleeve 50-2 is forthe purpose of receiving bolts 604i therethrough. Since the bolts are rotatably received; each sleeve"BDZ-isprovided with an oil'- ing aperture havinga cap-6l0' thereover;

The bolts GM are each disposed through the ends of twos-paced apart transverse plates 6V3. The plates 513 are disposed about the longitudinal pipe 23ll and'are' welded thereto. As thus described the axle pipes 30 are adapted to swing upwardly "and downwardly whereby positions of thelowerends ofthe teeth are adapted to conform to the' surfaceof the ground. Pins 6H and washers'6i2" aredisposed on the forward ends of thebolts SM.

It'will be'seenthatthe bolts 604 are preferably disposed in' alignment with the respective bolts-260 at the forward ends of the brace rods 250 wherebythe brace rods 25!) and axles30 can swing together respectively, with freedom.

Cross bracing is provided beneath the axle pipes 400. Such bracing includes a bracing pipe lflz extendingbet'ween and secured to the brackets H0 which'latter'are similar to but slightly different than the brackets H0 of the wheel 90. A strap brace I04 is'provided, as best shown in Figurell. The strap-brace 104 extends upwardly andis securedtothepipe 230.

The strap 'll'ld extends under the pipe 102 and then upwardly again, being" secured at its rearwardend' to the-longitudinalpipe 130. The forward end of the strap 104 is shown in the lower left hand side' of Figure 4'. The rearward end of the strap 1134- is also shown in Figure 4. In addition to the strap 104, avertically disposed" brace Bis-provided extending downwardly from the pipe" axles 400 and suitably secured to the upper side of the straps-104;

Means are provided for locking the teeth i0 in'the upper position shown in dotted lines in Figure 10. Such means includes two upwardly extending" posts 802. The posts 802 extend up wardly from andaresecured' at their lower'ends to the angle members when-the latter are in raking position. -When: the' anglei members 20 are' in the up"'position, the posts 802 are in the dotted'line positions shown in Figure 6;

In such aposition'the posts 802 are disposed with the apertures 8M on their upper. ends betweennibs 8H! whichlatterare arranged in two pairs onspairori'. the? out'erend of I each, of fthese. axles: -53;B-. Theinibsid'in 'arei'provided with' aperg- 1.1 tures for" receivingbblts" N'T'havin'g" cotterpihs' 8'1 41 The bolts 81 Z' areLfOr securingitlie posts 802 ina horizontal'positioni to holdtheteeth' lll'in theupperposition:

' This invention has provided a hayrake adapted for use in fields having varying conditions includ-. ing uneven ground surfaces, uneven hay growth; and bogs; and has: having'a positive hydraulic hold-down for cleaner raking.

From theforegoing description, it is thought to'beobviousthata hay rake constructed in" ac"- cordance with my invention is particularly welladaptedfor'use, by, reason of the 'convenience'and' facility with whichit' maybe assembled and opterated, and it will also be obvious that my invention'is susceptible of somechange and'modification without departing fromarrangement and'formation of theseveral parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice, vexcept as claimed.

I claim: 1. A- hay rake comprising:

first and second elongated axles disposed one' on" each side of said draft frame and extending transversely outwardly'therefrom; horizontallon end of 'said draft frame for attaching said axlewheel mounting means thereto for positioning said'secon'dj axle wheel in a position. for.rota-. tionina' plane transverse to said Idraft frame for;

gitudinally inner ends of said axles to said draft framewhereby the outer ends of said axles" can: swing vertically with respect to said draftframe about'horisontal' longitudinallyextendingpivot axes; first and secondend wheels on axles and disposed for rotation in planes trans verse to said axles; a first anda second'brace means respectively disposed in and second. axleswith each brace means attached to an cuterend ofthe respective axle and pivotally attached to the forward end of said draft frame for swinging about longitudinal horizontal;

axes in alignment respectively with said axle pivot axes; first and second rake heads. pivotally mounted on said first and second axles; rake teeth mounted on and extending rearwardly from said rake heads; and means for causing rotation of said rake heads'to raise and. lower said teeth.

2. A hay rake as claimed in claim 1 in which said draft frame wheel means comprises two.

wheels disposed one on each side of said draft frame.

3; The hay, rake of claim 1 further having a first one of said axle carrying wheels attached to said first axle by means. operatively associated with said first wheel and its axle for mounting said first end .wheeleither in a position at a right angle to its axle for rakingor in a position in parallelism with its axle. for highway travel; means mounting a second axle wheel on said second axle transversely to said second axle andsaid second axle wheel-mounting means being.

adapted to'be removed; means on the rearward second road? travel; and mounting means for said draft frame wheel means for securing said draft frame wheel means in either of two-positions disposed at a right angle to or longitudinally of said draft frame for road travel and raking respectively.

. (1. Theihay;rakeofclaimlfurther having afirst one of said axle. carrying. wheel's ihattachedf toll said first axle hym'eans'opera'tively associated further provided a hayrake' the principles and" spirit thereof, and'for this reasonI do llOtiWiSh. to be understood as limiting myself to the-precise a draft frame having a forward end and a rearward end; supporting" extending pivot means attaching the the. outer. ends. of said frontof said first means mounting a second axle wheel on said second axle transversely to said second axle and said second axle Wheel mounting means being adapted to be removed; means on the rearward end of said draft frame for attaching said second axle wheel mounting means thereto for positioning said second axle wheel in a position for rotation in a plane transverse to said draft frame for road travel; and mounting means for said draft frame for road travel and raking respectively; a tongue extending longitudinally and forwardly the end of s aid second axle when said second axle wheel has been removed for towing said hayrake.

WAYNE P. ADAMS.

References Cited in the file of this: patent Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Drager Feb. 11, 1913 Hendricks Mar. 28, 1916 Link July 22, 1924 Dugan Jan. 29, 1929 Robinson July 21, 1931 Coultas et a1. Apr. 1, 1941 Baker May 31, 1949 Johnson Oct. 17, 1950 

